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What happened?
A platform supply vessel (PSV) was carrying out routine cargo operations at an offshore installation.
Two crews were in the process of a shift change whilst a crane finished discharging a cargo carrying unit (CCU).
The incoming crew were in the ‘safe one’ when they noticed the lifting bridle was snagged.
As they were freeing the bridle, they didn’t notice the crane hook being lowered by the crane operator.
The crane hook struck one of the workers’ hard hat. He was not injured.
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Why did it happen?
Workers were focused on freeing the bridle and did not notice the approaching hook.
No clear, detailed guidance or procedures on cargo transfer operations from neither the vessel operators, nor the crane operators:
- Bad communication: workers did not notify the crane operator (by radio and/or hand signals) to stop lowering the hook whilst they handled the snagged bridle.
- Crane operator did not check the deck while the hook was descending.
- Critical step was overlooked - neither incoming/leaving shifts ensured that the lifting bridle on the next CCU was clear and ready to hook.
- Whilst the previous CCU was being discharged, the crew should have inspected the next CCU and ensure it is ready for lifting when the hook is lowered.
- The ‘stop work’ procedure was not implemented when more time was needed for the shift change and handover.
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What did they learn?
Review and update procedural guidance on all cargo transfer operations.
- Introduce step-by-step instructions to be used by all workers (to avoid any confusion).
Ensure all workers are aware that they should stop the job and take the required time for handover (if extra time is needed for a shift change).
-
Ask yourself or your crew
Have you ever been involved or witnessed an incident like this? What happened?
What are your procedures for shift change/handover during cargo transfer operations? How do you know the previous crew left everything in order?
How do you communicate with the crane operator during lifting operations? How can we improve communication on our site?
Incidents can have serious consequences. What is the emergency response plan on our site?
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What happened?
A platform supply vessel (PSV) was carrying out routine cargo operations at an offshore installation.
Two crews were in the process of a shift change whilst a crane finished discharging a cargo carrying unit (CCU).
The incoming crew were in the ‘safe one’ when they noticed the lifting bridle was snagged.
As they were freeing the bridle, they didn’t notice the crane hook being lowered by the crane operator.
The crane hook struck one of the workers’ hard hat. He was not injured.
Why did it happen?
Workers were focused on freeing the bridle and did not notice the approaching hook.
No clear, detailed guidance or procedures on cargo transfer operations from neither the vessel operators, nor the crane operators:
- Bad communication: workers did not notify the crane operator (by radio and/or hand signals) to stop lowering the hook whilst they handled the snagged bridle.
- Crane operator did not check the deck while the hook was descending.
- Critical step was overlooked - neither incoming/leaving shifts ensured that the lifting bridle on the next CCU was clear and ready to hook.
- Whilst the previous CCU was being discharged, the crew should have inspected the next CCU and ensure it is ready for lifting when the hook is lowered.
- The ‘stop work’ procedure was not implemented when more time was needed for the shift change and handover.
What did they learn?
Review and update procedural guidance on all cargo transfer operations.
- Introduce step-by-step instructions to be used by all workers (to avoid any confusion).
Ensure all workers are aware that they should stop the job and take the required time for handover (if extra time is needed for a shift change).
Ask yourself or your crew
Have you ever been involved or witnessed an incident like this? What happened?
What are your procedures for shift change/handover during cargo transfer operations? How do you know the previous crew left everything in order?
How do you communicate with the crane operator during lifting operations? How can we improve communication on our site?
Incidents can have serious consequences. What is the emergency response plan on our site?
A crane was discharging a cargo carrying unit (CCU) when the crew noticed the lifting bridle was snagged. As they were freeing the bridle, a crane hook struck one of the workers on their hard hat.
